Safety razor



June 6, 1933.

J. MUROS SAFETY RAZOR Filed Jan. 19, 1932 INVENTOR J'aa'e 7: fizz/v00Patented June 6 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOSEPH MUROS, OFBELMONT, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO GILLETTE SAFETY RAZOR COMPANY, OFBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE SAFETY RAZORApplication filed January 19, 1932. Serial No. 587,551.

This invention relates to safety razors of the type in which a thinflexible blade is clamped between cooperating blade-shaping and bladesupporting members and maintained by them in a position of transversecurvature for shaving. The invention comprises a novel razorconstruction in which the relative position of such members iscontrolled more accurately, positively and with greater convenience tothe user than in razors of this type heretofore known.

It will be appreciated that in replacing a used blade or removing ablade for purposes of cleaning, it is desirable to separate theblade-shaping members quickly and completely so that the blade may bereached and withdrawn without obstruction or danger of cutting thefingers. It is equally important to expose fully the blade-receivingface of that member of the razor upon which the new blade is placedpreparatory to shaving so that the user may conveniently locate theblade upon studs or other means provided for that purpose.

In the novel razor of my invention the desired results are secured byemploying a cap member which comprises cooperating sections separatelypivoted to a blade-supporting member and arranged to swing from asuperposed blade-clamping position to an inoperative position in whichthe face of the blade supporting member is entirely exposed. Attemptshave been made heretofore to utilize such sectional cap members insafety razor construction, but no satisfactory mechanism has ever beenavailable for controlling their position and moving them positively andquickly from blade-clamping to blade releasing position and vice versa.My invention contemplates as a novel feature a rotatable actuatingmember, which may be a part of the handle construction if desired, andwhich has positively acting operating connections with the cap sectionsconstructed and arranged to move them simultaneously and equally inopposite direction and positively to control them in all positions.

My invention contemplates a novel form of operating mechanism forpositioning the sections of cooperating blade shaping and clampingmembers in the manner above outlined. To this end, an important featureof this invention comprises a worm arranged to mesh directly withportions of both cap sections, for example, each cap section may beformed with a portion which constitutes in effect a worm gear and theseportions may be oppositely arranged so that an interposed worm may meshdirectly with both of them. Under such conditions a positive operatingconnection is established and, moreover, one which is non-reversible inits action; that is to say, the cap sections are positively locked inall positions against any force tending to displace them. Any convenientmeans may be employed for rotating the worm, but as herein shown, Iprefer to incorporate it as a part of the handle of the razor, extendingits hub to form an actuating sleeve. This is a particularly convenientconstruction for the user and from the mechanical standpoint has all theadvantages of direct and rapid action without lost motion or excessivefriction.

As a further feature of my invention I preferably form each cap sectionwith .or connect it to a spindle and so locate the spindle that aportion thereof may supply guard teeth for the razor. The guard teethswing with the spindle and are properly positioned with respect to theshaving ed e of the blade when the latter is clamped in s avingposition. These spindles also offer convenient means in which to formthe worm teeth which mesh with the worm for swinging the cap sections inthe manner already described.

These and other features of the invention will be best understood andappreciated from the following description of a preferred embodimentthereof, selected for purposes of illustration and shown in theaccompanying drawing, in which,-

Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of the razor in condition for shaving.

Fig. 2 is a view in end elevation showing the razor 1n the samecondition.

Fig. 3 is a view in end elevation showing the razor in its open orblade-receiving position.

Fig. 4 is a plan View of the razor in open condition, portions of theblade bein broken a'way.

Fig. 5 1s a fragmentary now showing the guard in longitudinal sectlon.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view on the line 66 of Fig. 5 and Fig. 7 isa cross-sectional view of the razor in the condition shown in 1 ig. 3.

The blade-supporting member 10 of the razor herein shown is providedwith a bladereceiving face which is bounded by two rarallellongitudinally extending shoulders over which the flexible blade isflexed by the cap. Projecting from the blade-receiving face of theblade-supporting member is a pair of blade-locating studs 12 hereinshown as being of diamond-shaped contour. At each of its corners theblade supporting member 10 is provided with a transversely and outwardlyextending bearing arm 14 and extending between each air of these armsand along the longitudinal side of the blade-support ng member is arotatable spindle 16. Each spindle is journaled upon a alr of plvot pins18 projecting through the bearing arms 14 of the blade-supportin member.Each sp1n dle 16 is provided midway between its ends with worm teeth 20and the outer portion of the periphery of each spindle is grooved toprovide guard teeth 22 of the character commonly employed in safetyrazors of this general type.

The cap member of the razor herein shown comprises two cap sectionsgtsymmetrically shaped and together providing a concave blade-engagingface which cooperates with the blade-shaping face of the blRClO-SHPDOIT-ing member to flex the blade and maintain it in a condition ofpronounced transverse curvature. Each cap section is rovided n its facewith spaced recesses 26 which register with each other when the sectionsare closed and provide clearance for the studs 12 of the blade suporting member. The cap sections 24 are rovided with an arm 28 at eachend bv which it is connected with one of the spindles 16. Preferabl thecan and spindle are formed integrally, but in any case the ca section 24and spindle 16 will form a rigid assembly, the body of the cap sectionbeing spaced from the spindle by its arms 28, thus providing anelongated o ening for the passage of the edge of the blade. as willpresently be explained. As herein shown the arms 28 of the cap section2% embrace the ends of the spindle 16, being interposed between it andthe bearin arms 14 of the guard.

In Fig. 4 is shown one form of blade 30 suitable for use in the razor ofmy in\'enti n This is sharpened upon its opposite edges and providedwith a recess at each corner afi'ording clearance for the arms 28 of thecap tion. It is provided with a blade locating aperture. comprising anelongated slot having spaced enlargements which fit upon the bladelocating studs 12 of the blade-support ing member. The blade is normallyflat as shown in Figs. 3 and 7 and is adapted to be transversely flexedand maintained in such position as shown in Figs. 2 and 6. I

In the razor herein shown a rotatable element preferably forming a partof the handle is employed to move the cap section from clamping toblade-receiving position and to positively control their position at alltimes. This mechanism will now be described. The handle comprises astationary stem or spindle 32 which is riveted or otherwise rigidlyconnected to the blade-supporting member 10. At its outer end the stem32 is enlarged to form a solid knurled barrel 34. J ournaled upon thespindle 32 is'a knurled actuating sleeve 36 and this is provided at itsupper end with a worm 38 of relatively large diameter which meshesdirectly with the worm teeth 20 of the spaced spindles 16. It will benoted that the worm 38 is interposed directly between the two spindles16 and that in affect its hub is extended to form the sleeve 36 by whichthe worm may be conveniently turned. Both spindles 16 are thuspositively locked by their connection with the worm and may be movedinto blade clamping position by a non-reversible operating connection.This is important because the clamping action of the cap sections iseffected against the tension of the blade 30. Accordingly, if theoperating conection were not non-reversible, the tension of the bladewould tend to swing the cap sections and loosen their engagement withthe blade. The movement imparted to the spindle 16 by the worm 38 isequal in extent and opposite in direction and simultaneous in timing.

In using the illustrated razor the actuating sleeve 36 will first beturned by the operator to rotate the spindle 16 and swing the capsections 24 into their open or blade-receiving position as shown in Fig.7. In this position the blade-receiving face of the blade-supportingmember 10 is completely exposed and the user may conveniently place theblade 30 thereon without obstruction or interference of any kind. Theblade is accurately located on the blade-supporting member by theblade-locating studs 12 as already explained. The user then turns theactuating sleeve :56 rotating the worm 38 in the direction to rock thespindle 16 and swing the cap section 24 simultaneously inwardly from theposition shown in 'Figs. 3 and 7 to the position shown in F'igs. 2 and6. In this movement the outer or blade engaging edges of the cap sectionare carried over the sharpened edges of the blade without contactingtherewith or tending in any way to dull them. As the inward swingingmovement of the cap section continues the blade is engaged along linesadjacent to but within its cutting edges and it is flexed over thefulcrum shoulders of the bladesu porting member, its ed es beingdisposed in the proper shaving re ation to the guard teeth 22 formed inthe spindle. The clamping pressure of the cap section and consequentlythe degree of ex osure of the edges of the blade may be regu ated bytightening or loosening the actuating sleeve 36. When the actuatingsleeve 36 is turned to the limit of its movement the cap sections 24 aredrawn down to their extreme clamping position and maximum curvature-isimparted to the blade, a condition which corresponds to minimum edgeexposure. On the other hand by backing off the operatin sleeve 36slightly the clamping pressure of t e cap sections 24 may berelieved-and the'blade permitted to straighten, thus increasing its edgeexposure. It should be observed that in all positions of adjustment thecap sections are positively locked and prevented from slipping or frombeing displaced in either direction, on ac count of their worm and gearconnection with the actuating sleeve 36.

It will be observed also that the guard teeth 22 on the spindles arecarried into an inoperative-position when the spindles are rocked toopen the cap section 24, but when the spindles are rocked in theopposite direction to position the cap sections in blade clampingposition and the razor is thus made ready for use, the portion of thespindle having the guardteeth is brought back to operative positionwhere the guard teeth are effective in the shaving operation.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Let'- ters Patent of the United States is 1. A safety razorcomprising a member having a blade-supporting face bounded by parallelshoulders and adapted to support a flexible and resilient blade with itsedges overhanging said shoulders, cap sections pivotally. mounted uponsaid member and having concave blade-engaging faces shaped to flex theblade resiliently over said member, 'and a gear connection between saidcap sections maintaining them positively in blade nected to both casections for swinging them simultaneous y toward or from sai member.

4. A safety razor comprising a blade-supclamping position above saidmember, and a rotatable handle element connected to both cap sectionsfor simultaneously moving them 1n the manner described.

5. A safety razor comprising a blade-support ng member having ablade-receiving face, co-o eratingcap sections mounted upon said mem rfor movement from contiguous POSltlOIlS above said face to spacedpositions in which said face is uncovered, and a handle having anactuating member which has a rotary operating connection with the capsections. v

6. A safety razor comprising a blade-supporting member having ablade-receiving face, co-operating cap sections mounted upon said memberfor movement to and from position in superposed relation thereto, and arotatable handle element positively connected to said cap sections forsimultaneously moving them in the manner described.

7. A safety razor comprising a blade-supporting member, cap sectionspivotally mounted adjacent to the opposite edges of said member to swingto and from positions 1n superposed relation thereto, and a rotatablehandle element having a worm meshing with said cap sections andpositively controlling their position at all times.

' 8. A safety razor comprisin a blade-supportlng member having alongitudinally dis posed shaft journaled therein adjacent to each edge,a cap section attached to each shaft,

and a rotatable handle element connected to.

both shafts for turning the same to swing the cap sections toward orfrom clamping positionon said member.

9. A safety razor comprising a blade-sup porting member, a handleprojecting therefrom and including a rotatable member provided with aworm, cap sections pivotally connected to the opposite edges of saidmember and each having a portion containing gear teeth which arearranged to mesh with said worm.

10. A safety razor comprising a bladesupporting member, a toothedspindle journaled in said member adjacent to each edge, a cap sectionassociated with each spindle, and a handle including a rotatable wormmeshing with both spindles.

, 11. A safety razor comprising a blade-supporting member, spacedspindles journaled in said member, a Worm interposed between thespindles and having geared connections with both spindles and having anextended hub by which it may be manually turned to rock said spindles,and cap sections connected to and movable with said spindles.

12. A safety razor comprising a blade-supporting member, cap sectionspivotally 5 mounted u on said member-at either side thereof, an arotatable actuating device having non-reversible operating connectionwith both cap sections.

13. A safety razor comprising a blade-supporting member, cap sectionspivotally mounted upon said member at either side thereof, and arotatable actuating device for simultaneously swinging both ca sectionstoward said member constructe and arranged to hold them positivelylocked in all positions they may occupy.

14. A safety razor comprising a blade-supporting member, rotatablespindles mounted therein in s aced parallel relation and having gearteeth ormed therein at opposite points,

a worm interposed between said spindles, di-

rectly meshing with the gear teeth thereof and disposed with its axis'atright angles to the plane of the axes of the spindles, means forrotating the worm to rock the spindles,

and cap sections carried by the spindles.

15. A safety razor comprising a blade-supporting member, rotatablespindles mounted at opposite edges of said member and having guard teethextending along a portion of their periphery, cap sections connected tosaid spindles, and means for rocking the spindles to position the capsections and the ard teeth simultaneously in operative position.

16. A safety razor comprising blade-supporting members, one of which hasco-operating sections, each rigidly connected with a spindle, gearteethformed in the spindles and guard teeth extending along one side of eachspindle, and a worm meshing with the gear teeth of both spindlessimultaneously and serving positively to position the spindles with theguard teeth in operative position.

17. A safety razor comprising a blade-sup porting member, cap sectionspivotally connected thereto, each section being formed with a portionconstituting worm gear teeth, a worm meshing upon opposite sides withthe worm gear portions of both cap sections, and manually operated meansfor rotating the worm.

18. A safety razor comprising a blade-supporting member having ablade-engagingface and an oppositely projecting stem, cap

sections pivotally mounted at opposite sides of said member and havingportions extending below the blade-engaging face of said member andformed as gear teeth, said member being provided in its under side witha recess, and a worm located therein, and arranged to mesh with thegearteeth of both sections.

19. In a safety razor, a cap comprising seping face of said member andhaving arate, relatively movable, co-operating sections each formed withguard teeth thereon.

20. A safety razor comprising a blade-su porting member, cap sectionspivotal y mounted in each longitudinal edge thereo and a handle memberrotatable about an axis disposed at rightangles to the blade-sup ort;irect operating connections with both cap sections for swinging them toand from blade-clamping position.

21. A safety razor comprising a member having a blade-supporting face,an elongated cap section ivotally mounted at each edge of said mem erand arranged to swing into superposed blade-clam ing position thereon,and a rotatable hand e member associated with said member and havingoperating connections with both cap sections for swinging them into andholding them in blade-clamping position.

22; A safet razor comprising a blade-supporting mem er, co-operating capsections each having a spindle mounted at one edge of said member andarranged to turn as its associated cap section is swung toward or fromblade-shaping position above the bladesupporting member, and a rotatablehandle member having positive operating connections with both spindlesfor turning the same.

23. A safety razor comprising a blade-supporting member, a flexibleblade thereon, a spindle journaled at each edge of said member belowsaid blade, a cap section connected to each spindle adjacent to theopposite ends thereof and shaped to swing to and from blade-shapingposition above said blade, and a handle member having operatingconnections with both spindles at an intermediate location for turningthem to position the cap sections. 7

24. A safety razor comprising oppositely disposed members shaped to holda flexible blade between them in a condition of transverse curvature,one of said members comprising two separate curved sections pivotallymounted respectively upon the outer edges of the other, and a rotatablehandle member having operating connections with both sections forswinging them to and from, blade-shaping position.

JOSEPH MUROS.

